Change the type of a list

There are two types of lists in HubSpot: active lists and static lists. Active lists add or remove records automatically based on filter criteria, while static lists don't automatically update after they're saved. If you need to change how records are added to or removed from a list (i.e. automatically or manually), you can convert a static list to an active list or an active list to a static list.

Learn more about the types of lists.

Convert an active list to a static list

When you convert an active list to become a static list, new records are no longer automatically added to or removed from the list based on filters. Moving forward, you can only manually add or remove records.

You can select to convert the list on a certain day or based on the list's activity. For example, your active list adds contacts if they've engaged with assets from a specific marketing campaign. Once the campaign is over (e.g., on the last day of the campaign or after a month of no activity), you convert the list to static so contacts are no longer added.

1. In your HubSpot account, navigate to CRM > Lists.
2. Click an active list.
3. Click the Settings tab, then navigate to Auto-convert to static in the left sidebar.
4. Click the Convert this list to static dropdown menu and select when the list should be converted:
   • Never: the list will never be converted to a static list.
   • On a specific day: in the date picker, select a date on which the list will be converted.
   • After inactivity: click the dropdown menus and select what period of inactivity the list should have before it's converted to a static list. Activity is based on the last record added or removed from the list.
5. Click Save. 

Learn more about creating and editing lists.

Convert a static list to an active list

When you convert a static list to become an active list, records will be added to or removed from the list automatically based on the filters you've set. You’ll no longer be able to manually add or remove records.

For example, your static list includes contacts you've met at fundraising events. You want the list to only include contacts you've met at events who live in your target region. You convert the list to active, then add the Region filter. The list will automatically remove event contacts that live in other regions.

To convert a static list to an active list:

1. In your HubSpot account, navigate to CRM > Lists.
2. Click a static list. The selected static list must include filters to be converted to active.
3. In the top right, click Actions, then select Convert to active.
4. In the dialog box, click Convert to confirm.

You can now update the list's filters to continue adding or removing contacts. Learn more about creating and editing lists.